But only if I RELIGIOUSLY follow a diet. Here's what I have been doing for the past 7 days. (7 days is a long time when you like to eat as much as I do, and when the size of your behind requires one bazillion calories to keep going.)
- Follow Weight Watchers (OLD) plan. The new one doesn't work for me. Tried it for 3 weeks, lost 1.5 pounds. I'm not dieting for kicks, people. Gotta see results or I'm OUT.
- Exercised (mostly walking, some running) 5 of the past 7 days
- No sugar or refined carbs...followed this like 95% of the time
- No alcohol. Not that I have a problem with it, but I have ONE drink and immediately stop caring about what I eat. It's like magic.
- Little to no carbs with dinner
- NO eating after dinner
- Lots of water
And that's it. And this morning, the beginning of week 2, I really hesitated to get on the scale. I can tell a difference in my body, but I would have been SO disappointed if I had only lost one pound. Plus, it's always good to weigh after a big poop (YES I did just say that! But it's true and you know it!) and my fingers felt swollen, blah blah blah.
BUT I did it. I stepped on the scale and tried to give myself a pep talk (in my head, I'm not THAT crazy) as I did it. Because there's really not much else I could have done to step it up. And...wait for it...wait for it...
7 POUNDS. In one week. That is crazy. And I love that kind of crazy. I know it won't happen every week, and I still have, like, a first grader to lose, but it's a darn good start.
I was walking yesterday, thinking about this whole dieting thing. I am always. ALWAYS on a diet. Or cheating on one. Or taking a break from one. And I still hang out within the same 10 pound range. So I was thinking, since I diet until I can take a day off, or until I take some time off...and it's obviously not working, maybe I should re-think things.
Considering the metabolism that I have (horrible) I should probably just decide if I'd rather eat what I want, or lose weight. And really, I think I'd rather lose weight. Once I get on a roll, maybe I'll take a cheat day or meal a week. That seems reasonable to me.
So there. I will just put that out there, for the world to see. Week 2 annnd GO.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The good things
I haven't been sleeping much lately, as I've whined about in previous posts, I'm sure. Last night was particularly bad, with our 8 month old up from about midnight on, only occasionally sleeping. But only if we held him. I kind of get hateful when I get really tired, and I am really tired. So I thought I might post a quick update about a few things I'm thankful for. Before I have to leave the house and be around people. I'm hoping this will help my attitude.
I have friends who had their 4 month old baby taken away from them and placed in foster care because of an accident with a babysitter. Yesterday I spent the day in court with them, watching them fight to get their daughter back. So far they are unsuccessful. I can't even imagine what they must be going through. I am so very thankful that my children are home with me, and not in some unknown house somewhere, with a foster parent. Even in the middle of the night, when Ben won't sleep, I'm thankful he's not sleeping in my arms rather than someone else's.
I am so thankful for my husband. I'm not sure what I did to win that lottery, but he's such a great friend, husband, dad. He is honest, kind and patient. I'm thrilled to be married to him. Which is why I won't let him get that motorcycle that he wants so badly.
We live in a nice house, with a pool. (In AZ that is huge, as it gets to 120 in July and August.) We are able to pay our bills and mostly don't have to stress about money. We live next door to our church, and can walk to work every day.
We have (mostly) healthy food to eat, and are able to eat together as a family every day (almost!)
My husband and I work together, sharing a large office. We can bring our kids in with us. We have never needed to use daycare, and I'm so thankful for that. Even when Ben is crying and Madeleine is whining.
Our church is awesome - full of wonderful people, who are so supportive of us. And the church is open to women ministers, which is fairly rare. I am one of 4 ordained women on staff. That's huge, and I forget sometimes that most churches aren't comfortable with it.
I lead worship every week - which gives me the opportunity to play guitar and sing, which I love. I can be totally creative with the music and have the support of the church. I sing in our choir, which is led by one of the ministers at our church. It is a close group of people who are amazingly talented.
We have an amazing family, and though they are far away, we can count on them in times of need. They love us, and we love them. There is very little drama.
We have great, supportive friends, and love spending time with them. They have become like family to us, since we live so far away from our families.
We are healthy. There are so many people who deal with horrible illnesses and function every day. So many people with no hope for a long life, and they go to work every day and are kind to those around them.
The weather here is perfect, for now...
I just got the guitar that I've been waiting YEARS and years to buy. It's beautiful, and I love it. It plays like a dream. Technically, I still owe our savings account $500 for it, but it's in my house and it's mine. I've been saving for a long time to get it.
I love coffee. At night, when I get in bed, dreading the inevitable crying baby just minutes after I fall asleep, I think of how great that cup of coffee will be in the morning.
I have started running, and nothing has fallen off yet.
Ok, well there's much more, but that's enough to say today. I have to go be social now. And I think I can, after this reminder of all the good things in life. Maybe I'll grab another cup of coffee on the way out.
I have friends who had their 4 month old baby taken away from them and placed in foster care because of an accident with a babysitter. Yesterday I spent the day in court with them, watching them fight to get their daughter back. So far they are unsuccessful. I can't even imagine what they must be going through. I am so very thankful that my children are home with me, and not in some unknown house somewhere, with a foster parent. Even in the middle of the night, when Ben won't sleep, I'm thankful he's not sleeping in my arms rather than someone else's.
I am so thankful for my husband. I'm not sure what I did to win that lottery, but he's such a great friend, husband, dad. He is honest, kind and patient. I'm thrilled to be married to him. Which is why I won't let him get that motorcycle that he wants so badly.
We live in a nice house, with a pool. (In AZ that is huge, as it gets to 120 in July and August.) We are able to pay our bills and mostly don't have to stress about money. We live next door to our church, and can walk to work every day.
We have (mostly) healthy food to eat, and are able to eat together as a family every day (almost!)
My husband and I work together, sharing a large office. We can bring our kids in with us. We have never needed to use daycare, and I'm so thankful for that. Even when Ben is crying and Madeleine is whining.
Our church is awesome - full of wonderful people, who are so supportive of us. And the church is open to women ministers, which is fairly rare. I am one of 4 ordained women on staff. That's huge, and I forget sometimes that most churches aren't comfortable with it.
I lead worship every week - which gives me the opportunity to play guitar and sing, which I love. I can be totally creative with the music and have the support of the church. I sing in our choir, which is led by one of the ministers at our church. It is a close group of people who are amazingly talented.
We have an amazing family, and though they are far away, we can count on them in times of need. They love us, and we love them. There is very little drama.
We have great, supportive friends, and love spending time with them. They have become like family to us, since we live so far away from our families.
We are healthy. There are so many people who deal with horrible illnesses and function every day. So many people with no hope for a long life, and they go to work every day and are kind to those around them.
The weather here is perfect, for now...
I just got the guitar that I've been waiting YEARS and years to buy. It's beautiful, and I love it. It plays like a dream. Technically, I still owe our savings account $500 for it, but it's in my house and it's mine. I've been saving for a long time to get it.
I love coffee. At night, when I get in bed, dreading the inevitable crying baby just minutes after I fall asleep, I think of how great that cup of coffee will be in the morning.
I have started running, and nothing has fallen off yet.
Ok, well there's much more, but that's enough to say today. I have to go be social now. And I think I can, after this reminder of all the good things in life. Maybe I'll grab another cup of coffee on the way out.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
What is this sleep you speak of?
Well. I have an almost 8 month old who has been regressing to newborn sleep status. That is to say, it's not really happening anymore. It's gotten worse and worse each night, and last night he woke up (no kidding) every hour. He'd kind of sleep if we held him, but the second we tried to lay him down, he would wake up and cry. A few times I gave up and brought him in bed with me, cradling his head so maybe he would think I was holding him. And I really was. This meant no sleep for me, but at least I got to lie down.
So even then, he would only sleep for an hour, and then wake up and cry.
I have a few theories about why this is happening.
1. He got his first two teeth on Sunday. Maybe more are coming in?
2. Stomach ache? Is it something I'm eating? I've had butternut squash soup for the past several days, could that be it?
3. He had an ear infection a few weeks ago - maybe the ear hasn't healed. (We are going to the doctor for a re-check tomorrow. I will be asking why he won't sleep, if it's not the ears.)
4. Cosmic payback for something I said or did. Less likely.
Anyone (of my two official followers:) or other people on the interwebs have any clue?
I am a zombie today. An angry zombie. And I want to combat my tired, bad mood with lots of chocolate. But I also want to lose weight. Sigh.
Here's my sweet baby now. At 3 in the afternoon. I'm hoping tonight is better. Otherwise I might just eat somebody's brains...especially if they are caffeinated.
ALSO, I keep getting comments from people about how this is just practice for when my kids are teenagers. Apparently then I will REALLY get no sleep. Let me tell you why that is ridiculous (unless my kids turn out to be hoodlums.) First, my kids will have a curfew. There will be no driving or shenanigans after a certain time at night. Second, if my teens are up all night, fine. I expect they will be entertaining themselves in their own room, listening to obnoxious music or online. Or whatever crazy technological things are available by then. I don't think they will be crying, wanting me to hold them in my lap. I realize that there is a very slight chance my teenage kids will not be perfect, and I will lose sleep over this. But not ALL of my sleep. Hopefully.
So even then, he would only sleep for an hour, and then wake up and cry.
I have a few theories about why this is happening.
1. He got his first two teeth on Sunday. Maybe more are coming in?
2. Stomach ache? Is it something I'm eating? I've had butternut squash soup for the past several days, could that be it?
3. He had an ear infection a few weeks ago - maybe the ear hasn't healed. (We are going to the doctor for a re-check tomorrow. I will be asking why he won't sleep, if it's not the ears.)
4. Cosmic payback for something I said or did. Less likely.
Anyone (of my two official followers:) or other people on the interwebs have any clue?
I am a zombie today. An angry zombie. And I want to combat my tired, bad mood with lots of chocolate. But I also want to lose weight. Sigh.
Here's my sweet baby now. At 3 in the afternoon. I'm hoping tonight is better. Otherwise I might just eat somebody's brains...especially if they are caffeinated.
ALSO, I keep getting comments from people about how this is just practice for when my kids are teenagers. Apparently then I will REALLY get no sleep. Let me tell you why that is ridiculous (unless my kids turn out to be hoodlums.) First, my kids will have a curfew. There will be no driving or shenanigans after a certain time at night. Second, if my teens are up all night, fine. I expect they will be entertaining themselves in their own room, listening to obnoxious music or online. Or whatever crazy technological things are available by then. I don't think they will be crying, wanting me to hold them in my lap. I realize that there is a very slight chance my teenage kids will not be perfect, and I will lose sleep over this. But not ALL of my sleep. Hopefully.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Remember that time...
When I said I would blog all the time?
Yeah.
Anyway, I have several points to make tonight.
1. Pinterest makes me hungry, and is bad for my diet.
2. I think I will be on a diet for the rest of my life. Except when I'm cheating on said diet.
3. Drinking any alcoholic beverage throws my resolve to diet out the window.
4. My 7 month old child is the SWEETEST baby ever, but is a HORRIBLE sleeper.
5. My 5 year old child is so funny and smart, but can drive me MAD with her sassy mouth and stubborn will.
6. Sometimes I want a mute button.
7. How did all these wrinkles and gray hairs sneak up on me so quickly?
8. It takes a minute or two for me to be able to walk normally (like, not stagger) in the mornings. I think this is because I'm old.
That's all for tonight. More random thoughts at another time.
Yeah.
Anyway, I have several points to make tonight.
1. Pinterest makes me hungry, and is bad for my diet.
2. I think I will be on a diet for the rest of my life. Except when I'm cheating on said diet.
3. Drinking any alcoholic beverage throws my resolve to diet out the window.
4. My 7 month old child is the SWEETEST baby ever, but is a HORRIBLE sleeper.
5. My 5 year old child is so funny and smart, but can drive me MAD with her sassy mouth and stubborn will.
6. Sometimes I want a mute button.
7. How did all these wrinkles and gray hairs sneak up on me so quickly?
8. It takes a minute or two for me to be able to walk normally (like, not stagger) in the mornings. I think this is because I'm old.
That's all for tonight. More random thoughts at another time.
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